DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How to pay less for new garden fencing
New fencing gets expensive fast once you add up posts, panels, gravel boards and labour, and it is easy to end up paying for features you did not really need. The good news is that most of the cost is controllable: panel type, post choice and how much prep work you do yourself all move the price by a meaningful amount. Weigh these tips against the real prices on this page before you sign off a quote.
The quick version
- Concrete posts cost more up front but do not rot, so they usually work out cheaper than timber once you count a decade of use.
- Standard panel sizes are far cheaper than made-to-measure or bespoke designs, so check your run length divides neatly before ordering anything unusual.
- Fencing supply and fit normally carries 20% VAT, and that is already baked into most quoted labour and material prices.
- Local fencers usually beat national firms on price for the same job, partly because they carry less overhead.
- Ground condition is a hidden cost driver: sloping, rocky or clay ground slows digging and pushes labour up even when the fence itself is standard.
- Removing and tipping an old fence is often charged separately, so ask whether it is included before comparing quotes.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £1,152“Cost £1152”
- £1,500“I paid about £1,500 for 6 overlap panels with concrete posts”
- £2,000“Cost just under £2k.”
- £2,880“We had 18 panels with concrete posts and gravel boards fitted for £160 each”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
Fencing prices move on a handful of factors that stack on top of each other. Materials are the obvious one: a run of standard lap panels on timber posts sits at the cheap end, while feather-edge or closeboard fencing with concrete posts and gravel boards costs noticeably more, though it lasts longer. The type of post is often the single biggest hidden factor in a quote, since concrete costs more to buy but needs no maintenance, whereas timber is cheaper initially but rots and needs treating or replacing over time. Height matters too, since taller panels use more material and sometimes need stronger posts to stay upright in wind. Ground condition changes labour time significantly: flat, easy-to-dig soil is quick work, while sloping, rocky or clay ground slows everything down and can require extra digging or concrete. Removing and disposing of an old fence adds a separate cost that is not always included in a headline quote. And who does the work matters as much as what is being installed: local, independent fencers generally price lower than national installer networks for the same standard job, since they are not carrying the same overhead or subcontracting a layer of margin.
How to pay less
- Stick to standard panel sizes rather than bespoke, since off-the-shelf stock is much cheaper than anything cut or ordered to measure.
- Clear and dispose of the old fence yourself if you are able to, since labour and tip fees for removal can be a decent chunk of the total.
- Get three quotes from local fencers rather than going straight to a national firm, since local trades tend to undercut on identical jobs.
- Buy the materials in one order if the fencer is happy to work that way, as bulk timber and panel orders often price out lower per metre.
- Ask whether the ground needs extra digging or post spurs before agreeing a price, since sloping or hard ground is a common source of costs added after the job starts.
- Time the job outside peak season if you can, since fencers are often quieter over winter and may have more room to negotiate on price.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to fit fencing myself?
On flat ground with standard panels, doing it yourself can save the whole labour cost, though you take on the digging and the risk of wonky posts. On slopes or hard ground, a professional finish is usually worth paying for, since redoing a badly set post costs more than getting it right first time. Weigh the saving against the effort and the real prices on this page before deciding.
Are concrete or timber posts better value?
Concrete posts cost more at the start but do not rot, so you are not repairing a collapsed fence a few years down the line. Timber posts are cheaper up front but need treating and eventually replacing, which adds to the lifetime cost. Over a decade, concrete often works out cheaper even though the initial quote looks higher.
Who is responsible for the boundary fence?
Your deeds usually show which boundaries are yours, often marked with a T on the boundary plan. If a fence is shared, it is worth agreeing costs and the choice of materials with your neighbour before work starts, since disagreements after the event are hard to resolve. Never assume ownership without checking, as boundary disputes are a common and avoidable headache.
Does removing the old fence cost extra?
Often yes. Taking down the existing fence and getting rid of the waste is labour and tip time that some fencers quote separately rather than folding into the headline price. Ask directly whether removal and disposal are included before you compare two quotes, since a lower price that excludes this can end up costing more overall.
How much does ground condition affect the price?
More than most people expect. Soft, flat, easy-to-dig soil is quick and predictable, but sloping ground, rocky subsoil or heavy clay all slow the digging down and can mean extra concrete or post spurs to keep everything level and secure. If your garden is not flat, mention it when asking for quotes, since a price given without seeing the ground can change once the fencer turns up.
Should I choose a local fencer or a national company?
For a standard job, a local independent fencer will usually price lower than a national installer network doing the same work, since they carry less overhead and are not adding a subcontracting margin. National firms can offer more standardised guarantees and easier scheduling, so the choice often comes down to how much that convenience is worth against the difference in price.